Treatment Delay Attitude of Caregivers in Management of Childhood Malaria in Rural Communities in Nigeria
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research - Year 2014, Vol 4, Issue 35
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this paper was to assess the promptness of caregiver’s action at the onset of malaria symptoms to giving recommended effective anti-malaria drugs from public health facility. Study Design: It was a cross sectional study. Study Setting: The study was conducted in Akpabuyo, a rural community in Cross River State, south eastern Nigeria, March to May 2011. Methods: Announcements were made in the community inviting mothers/caregivers to bring their sick-children/wards to the public primary health facilities for free laboratory malaria test and treatment. Caregivers treatment seeking behaviour were assessed using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was collected from each of the ten electoral wards that make up Akpabuyo local government area (LGA) in Cross River State, Nigeria. Wherever necessary native language or broken-English was used. Results: Eight hundred and sixty children between the ages of 6 months to 14 years participated in the study. Majority of them (68%) were under-five years of age. There were slightly more males (52%) than females, mean age of the children was 47 months. The mean time-lag between onset of symptom and presentation in the public health-care was about 168 hours. The mothers either bought their drugs from patent medicine vendors and/or used herbal-medicines, before eventually going to the public health facility, where there are both free drugs and skilled manpower. Twenty-seven (27%) of the caregivers did not give any known treatment. Conclusion: Mothers/caregivers in this community treat their malaria sick children within 168hours, after lots of delay, trying other remedies, before presenting in public health facilities. There is need to improve their treatment seeking behaviour, using health education intervention and behavioural change communication.
Authors and Affiliations
Emmanuel N. Ezedinachi, Friday A. Odey, Ekpereonne B. Esu, Olabisi A. Oduwole, Nuria S. Nwachuku, Martin M. Meremikwu
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP348759
- DOI 10.9734/BJMMR/2014/7473
- Views 70
- Downloads 0
Effects of Fluid Resuscitation on Testicular Damage in Severely Burned Rats
Background: Severe burns cause a wide range of complications that challenge care in the short term and often leaves long term sequelae in survivors. Research evidence suggests that burns can affect testosterone secretion...
Molecular Biology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease from the Bases to the Therapeutic Decision: A Review
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a global public health problem. It has an overwhelming prevalence, yet accepted therapies are ineffective in reducing disease progression. Bronchodilators, the mainstay of...
Neonatal Aerophagia Dilemma – A Gastrointestinal Functional Disorder: Role of Imaging Studies
Aerophagia is excessive swallowing of air which goes to stomach through oesophagus and causes abdominal distention. This may alert the parents of pediatric age group especially neonates and causes anxiety. Although it’s...
The Seroprevalence and Eradication Success of Helicobacter pylori in Indigenous People of Seletar in Southern Malaysia
Background: Helicobacter pylori prevalence rate varies widely from one geographical area to another and marked differences have been noted among different ethnic groups. While several studies have been carried out to rev...
Activation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (pEGFR) and Expression of Argentophilic Nucleolus Organizer Regions (AgNOR) in Seminomas
Activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (p-EGFR) is one of the triggers in the development of many malignant tumors, and the measurement of Argentophilic Nucleolus Organizer Regions (AgNOR) area is used as a marke...